The Hegemony is governed by a single male leader, or the Lai. Every leader who takes the position adopts the title "Lai" as their first name. The position can be hereditary, but rarely passes through blood relations. Most often, the previous Lai will adopt another and pass it through the adopted son. A female is forbidden from taking this position. The Ethlar and the Lai are rarely at odds with each other because the one of the requirements of being named the Lai is that they must memorize the Horot and pledge a blood oath to uphold it. Any failure to uphold the Horot results in death.